Architect and Director
The Fire and Rescue Service required a unique training site which can be used in all weather conditions to conduct safe but realistic practice exercises. The facility provides training environments for training at height, rope-work rescue, search and rescue in collapsed buildings, rescues from confined spaces, road traffic collisions, and for major public decontamination exercises.
The facilities have been laid out to allow their use in combination to simulate a broad range of emergencies. The main building houses a multi-level climbing frame and simulated tower crane painted in bold colours to help identify the different components. Use of translucent cladding on one wall permits plenty of natural light within the building and, at night, gives an intriguing glow and view of the interior.
Full height roller shutters at both ends allow easy access by large vehicles and can also be opened up to simulate outdoor conditions when desirable.
Externally, a range of structures are provided along with open training space; these include a sewer and manhole within a rubble pile, an adaptable network of rubble filled tunnels with replaceable concrete ‘breaking’ panels, and a series of concrete walls and adjustable timber structures.
The fire service train to the highest possible professional standards and their facilities and buildings need to be able to cope with regular high impact usage. These facilities have been built to withstand extreme use and ensure SFRS have the highest quality long term training facilities available and are able to deliver effective rescue services to the public.
